Tide Instant Saver explained: rates, access and protection

The Tide Instant Saver is a variable-rate, instant-access savings account for UK businesses. Your rate depends on your Tide plan, interest is paid monthly, and eligible deposits are FSCS-protected through ClearBank. Here's how it works, what it pays according to Tide's latest summary box, and how it fits into the STARTUP200 offer.

By the Business Account Review editorial team · checked 25 October 2026 · How we check

What is the Tide Instant Saver?

The Tide Instant Saver is a business savings account you open and manage in the Tide app or on Tide's website. You move money in from one linked business current account, earn a variable rate of interest, and can take money out again whenever you need it, with no notice period.

It sits alongside your Tide business account rather than replacing it. You keep spending money in the current account and park money you don't need day to day in the saver. Tide also has a separate Tax Account for setting money aside for your tax bill, which isn't the same product.

Rates in this guide come from the Tide Instant Saver summary box dated 15 October 2026, which applies to new Tide members opening on or after that date. Rates are variable. Always check the current summary box (PDF) before you decide.

Tide Instant Saver rates

The rate is set as the Bank of England base rate minus a margin. When the summary box was published, the base rate was 3.75%. New members get an introductory rate for the first 4 months, then move to the rate for their plan.

Tide Instant Saver rates (summary box dated 15 October 2026)
Rate	AER (variable)	Balance it applies to
Introductory, first 4 months	3.25%	Up to £10 million
Introductory with CASS switch	4.25%	Up to £1 million
Free plan, after 4 months	1.50%	Up to £75,000
Smart plan, after 4 months	2.50%	Up to £100,000
Pro plan, after 4 months	3.00%	Up to £150,000
Max plan, after 4 months	3.25%	Up to £1 million

Balances above each plan's limit earn 0%. So on the Free plan, money above £75,000 earns nothing. The higher 4.25% rate needs a full switch of at least £10,000 into a Tide business current account using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), started within 7 days of your Tide membership being approved and completed within 14 days. Our guide to switching business bank accounts explains how a CASS switch works.

Because your plan sets your long-term Tide Instant Saver rate, upgrading or downgrading changes what you earn. Weigh the higher rate against the plan price, which our Tide fees guide sets out.

How Tide Instant Saver interest works

Calculated daily on your balance at the end of each day.
Paid monthly, on the first day of the following month, into your Tide Instant Saver.
Variable. If the base rate changes, your rate changes automatically from the day the Bank of England announces it, and Tide tells you within 30 days. If Tide changes its margin in a way that lowers your rate, it must give you at least 14 days' written notice.

The summary box gives an example: £1,000 paid in on the Free plan, with no further deposits or withdrawals and no rate changes, would grow to £1,010.75 after 4 months and £1,025.92 after 16 months. On the Max plan, the 16-month figure is £1,043.67.

Interest may be taxable depending on your circumstances. Tide's summary box says you may have to pay tax on it to HMRC. Ask your accountant how it fits into your business's tax return.

New to Tide? Code STARTUP200 can earn up to £200 cashback: £75 after £100 card spend in 30 days, plus £125 for holding £5,000 in an Instant Saver for 30 days*. *T&Cs apply

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Who can open a Tide Instant Saver?

According to the summary box, the account holder must be a UK resident aged 18 or over. Then it depends on your business type:

Sole traders

You need a Tide business account first. You can then open the Tide Instant Saver in the app or on Tide's website.

Limited companies

You can open it alongside a Tide business account, or open it on its own in the Tide app if your company banks elsewhere.

Opening follows Tide's usual steps: download the app, tell Tide about your business, verify your identity, and once you're approved, pay money in. If you're self-employed, our guide to Tide for sole traders covers the business account side.

Paying in and withdrawing

When you open a Tide Instant Saver, you choose one sterling current account in your business's name as your nominated account. That's the only account you can pay in from, and the only account withdrawals can go to.

The minimum opening deposit is £1.
There's no published maximum, but Tide says it may set limits at its discretion.
It's instant access with no notice period, and the summary box says there's no limit on withdrawals, though standard account and transaction limits may apply.
You can close it at any time once you've moved the balance out. Interest earned is paid to your nominated account.

Is the Tide Instant Saver FSCS protected?

Tide isn't a bank. It says its current and savings accounts are powered by ClearBank Ltd, a UK bank authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Tide's savings page states that eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £120,000 per depositor, across all accounts held with ClearBank.

That limit is shared. If your business holds money in a Tide current account, a Tide Instant Saver and any other brand that uses ClearBank, the £120,000 covers the total. Our guide Is Tide safe? explains this in more detail, including older e-money accounts.

The STARTUP200 savings condition

For new Tide members, the Tide Instant Saver is the second half of the STARTUP200 offer*. *T&Cs apply Tide's key terms say you earn the £125 by paying at least £5,000 into a Tide Instant Saver within 7 days of opening your Tide account and keeping it there for 30 days*. *T&Cs apply The safest way to meet it:

1
Enter STARTUP200 when you sign up
Or within 7 days of signing up, by contacting Tide in the app.
2
Open the Tide Instant Saver straight away
Do it as soon as your business account is approved, so the clock is on your side.
3
Pay in £5,000 within 7 days
Count from the day your Tide account opens. Paying in early leaves room for a delay.
4
Leave at least £5,000 there for 30 days
Don't let the balance dip below £5,000, even for a day. Interest on top doesn't matter; the £5,000 does.

Tide says cashback is paid 6 to 8 weeks after you qualify. The £125 is optional: if your business can't spare £5,000 for a month, you can still earn the £75 card-spending part on its own*. *T&Cs apply Never move money you need for wages, suppliers or tax. Full conditions and a deadline calculator are on our Tide promo code page.

The money also earns interest while it sits there. As a rough illustration, £5,000 at the introductory 3.25% AER (3.21% gross) earns about £13 over 30 days, before any tax.

Tide Instant Saver key terms

AER: Annual Equivalent Rate: what the interest would be over a year if it was paid and added each time. Use it to compare savings accounts.
Gross: The contractual rate before tax, without the effect of interest being compounded.
Variable: The rate can go up or down, for example when the Bank of England base rate changes.
Nominated account: The one business current account your Tide Instant Saver pays in from and withdraws to.
CASS: The Current Account Switch Service, which moves your account, balance and payments to a new provider.

Before you open a Tide Instant Saver

I've read the latest summary box and noted the rate for my plan.
I know which account will be my nominated account.
I understand the rate drops to my plan rate after 4 months.
I know my total balance with ClearBank stays within the FSCS limit, or I've planned around it.
If I want the £125, I can leave £5,000 untouched for 30 days*. *T&Cs apply

Tide Instant Saver FAQs

What is the Tide Instant Saver interest rate?

According to the summary box dated 15 October 2026, new members get 3.25% AER for 4 months, or up to 4.25% AER with a qualifying CASS switch. After that, it's 1.50% to 3.25% AER depending on your plan. Rates are variable.

Can I withdraw money any time?

Yes. It's instant access with no notice period. Withdrawals go only to your nominated account.

Do I need a Tide business account?

Sole traders do. Limited companies can open a Tide Instant Saver on its own in the Tide app.

Is my money protected?

Tide says eligible deposits are FSCS-protected through ClearBank up to £120,000 per depositor, across all ClearBank accounts.

When is interest paid?

Monthly, on the first day of the following month, into your Tide Instant Saver.

Is there a better business savings option?

That depends on how much you hold and how often you need access. Compare options in our business savings accounts guide.

Sources

Tide: Instant Saver summary box, last updated 15 October 2026 (PDF) (checked 25 October 2026)
Tide: business savings account page and regulatory footer (checked 25 October 2026)
Financial Services Compensation Scheme